BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The understanding of quality of life (QL) indicators related to oral health is especially relevant for Dentistry, considering the impact that oral conditions may have in psychological and social well being. Studies on psychosocial aspects contribute for a better integration of clinical and assistance approach, which is a shared concern with health professionals. Integrating psychology and dentistry breaking interdisciplinary paradigms and the interest in knowing patients' psychological aspects, motivaded this study. This study aimed at evaluating the QL of patients with temporomandibular dysfunction and / or orofacial pain. METHOD: The Generic Questionnaire to Evaluate Quality of Life - Medical Outcomes Study 36 - Item Short Health Survey (SF-36) was applied to 91 patients who looked for assistance due to signs and / or symptoms of temporomandibular dysfunction (DTM) and orofacial pain (OFP). SF-36 evaluates 8 domains: functional capacity (FC), physical aspects (FA), pain, general health status (GHS), mental health (MH), emotional aspects (EA), social aspects (AS) and vitality (V). RESULTS: Descriptive and inferential statistical analysis by Pearson's Correlation (p = 0.05) has shown, with the exception of functional capacity (73.2), mean values between 50 and 64 for remaining domains: PA - 57.6; Pain - 50; HGS - 54.5; V - 53.4; AS - 63.6; EA - 51.8; MH - 58. Considering that grades go from zero to 100, that is, the worst and best health status, mean values were low. There has been correlation between FC and GHS (p = 0.01) and significance trend for Pain and GHS (p = 0.07). CONCLUSION: Pain and functional capacity interfere with general health status; patients with TMD and OFP suffered negative impact in quality of life due to impairment of physical and mental aspects.
Orofacial pain; Psychosocial impact; Quality of life
